IN YOUR OPINION

Letters to the editor for Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2014

Published: Monday, August 18, 2014 at 7:01 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, August 18, 2014 at 7:01 p.m.

Just like the feds

From the pages of the Star-Banner we learned that County Commissioner Earl Arnett has picked up the hot potato of raising our sales tax for purposes as yet undefined, and adding to the already notable local inflation rate. Some time ago a grand tour of town hall meetings throughout the county was undertaken by the commission to determine who needed what, but evidently nobody was taking notes. Incidentally, Commissioner Arnett is not up for re-election.

We are indebted to Commissioner Arnett for pointing out that the county has tens of millions of "investments" of taxpayer dollars that have yet to produce dividends. It is interesting to note that the federal government has concurrently "invested" near $7 trillion of taxpayer money in order to "stimulate" and "create jobs" without success. One wonders if the commission could print money if they would not also be following the federal example.

Recent news has called attention to other communities where taxpayers will not likely ever recoup their "investments" (see http://www.nationalreview.com/article/385260/lost-bet-casino-kevin-d-williamson).

Meanwhile, the basic duty of maintaining Marion County roads goes wanting. Evidently it's not at crisis levels yet, and remains out-prioritized by the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP). The commission for some time now seems intent on following the federal example of "creating growth."

Bryan Demkowicz

Ocala

Praising Tedder

I just wanted to take the time to acknowledge all that Myra Tedder has done during her time with the county MSTU program. She was always professional and worked with me and the other neighbors in our little corner of the county to try and get our one mile of road paved. Unfortunately, we have been unable to acquire the necessary 50 percent vote to accomplish our paving request, but I can only hope that whoever replaces Myra will work as diligently with us as she has.

Terry Hook

Ocala

District dilemma

Early voting is underway and is predicted to be light, possibly even lighter because electors sense that their votes may not count and that they would have to return to vote once more if special elections are necessary. Disenfranchisement of voters?

Voting by mail has occurred. Will these ballots be counted or will we be required to vote again? It costs money to send out fresh ballots. Electors will have to pay postage once more. Every cent spent adds up to dollars out of voters' pockets.

Fund the costs associated with these special elections from soft money flowing into Florida to influence elections. Or, let the party in power pay the bill.

Not even the district shapes proposed by the gerrymandering legislators is new. One Mississippi gerrymandering scheme described the affected district as having the shape of a squirrel's tail; another reportedly used the term "serpentine." Even division of a district by a body of water has been tried.

Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stevens has recommended the following Constitutional amendment:

"Districts represented by members of Congress, or by members of any state legislative body, shall be compact and composed of contiguous territory. The state shall have the burden of justifying any departures from this requirement by reference to neutral criteria such as natural, political, or historic boundaries or demographic changes. The interest in enhancing or preserving the political power of the party in control of the state government is not such a neutral criterion." ("Six Amendments: How and Why We Should Change The Constitution")

Will this proposed amendment work?

Sue Lyon

Ocala

Manufactured homes

In response to the letter "Bad development" (Aug. 17), the writer comes across as someone who does not approve of manufactured homes. These homes are beautiful. The writer needs to understand and do some research. May I suggest buying and reading classifieds in The Villages Daily Sun. The Aug. 7 issue lists manufactured homes. A two-bedroom, two-bath home for $110,000; another home lists a two-bedroom, two-bath with golf front for $148,900; another a two-bedroom, two-bath for $114,500. Overpriced? The Villages doesn't think so. You do not buy a home there without fees.

The amenities etc., do not come with the home.

Please consider the fact that not all retirees have spendable cash. Suggesting a new development be called a glorified trailer park is so unfair.

As for congestion, driving east on State Road 200 with all the new restaurants and stores is a nightmare.

Cars sitting in the middle lane trying to make a left turn (without a light) is an accident about to happen.

We do not live in a manufactured home. We respect those who do. Everyone should take a tour of new manufactured homes some time. You'll be amazed.

Marie Wissler

Ocala

The inversion tactic

Chiquita Bananas Corp. has announced that they intend to merge with an Irish company (Fyffes) in attempt to then move corporate tax responsibility to Ireland rather than the United States of America. It seems that Ireland would offer them a more friendly tax haven and sharply reduce the amount of corporate taxes they pay. They, of course, would pay those taxes to the government of Ireland rather than to the U.S.

They do, of course, want you to continue to buy Chiquita bananas. They simply don't wish to pay taxes to this country.

This is a popular corporate financial tactic of late called an "inversion." They apparently feel that loyalty to stockholders trumps any feelings of patriotism or community responsibility.

I can't do anything as an individual to change their plans to abandon my country, but perhaps if millions of U.S. consumers stop buying Chiquita bananas, they might feel differently about the "inversion"?

<p><b>Just like the feds</b></p><p>From the pages of the Star-Banner we learned that County Commissioner Earl Arnett has picked up the hot potato of raising our sales tax for purposes as yet undefined, and adding to the already notable local inflation rate. Some time ago a grand tour of town hall meetings throughout the county was undertaken by the commission to determine who needed what, but evidently nobody was taking notes. Incidentally, Commissioner Arnett is not up for re-election.</p><p>We are indebted to Commissioner Arnett for pointing out that the county has tens of millions of "investments" of taxpayer dollars that have yet to produce dividends. It is interesting to note that the federal government has concurrently "invested" near $7 trillion of taxpayer money in order to "stimulate" and "create jobs" without success. One wonders if the commission could print money if they would not also be following the federal example.</p><p>Recent news has called attention to other communities where taxpayers will not likely ever recoup their "investments" (see http://www.nationalreview.com/article/385260/lost-bet-casino-kevin-d-williamson).</p><p>Meanwhile, the basic duty of maintaining Marion County roads goes wanting. Evidently it's not at crisis levels yet, and remains out-prioritized by the Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership (CEP). The commission for some time now seems intent on following the federal example of "creating growth."</p><p><i>Bryan Demkowicz</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p> </p><p><b>Praising Tedder</b></p><p>I just wanted to take the time to acknowledge all that Myra Tedder has done during her time with the county MSTU program. She was always professional and worked with me and the other neighbors in our little corner of the county to try and get our one mile of road paved. Unfortunately, we have been unable to acquire the necessary 50 percent vote to accomplish our paving request, but I can only hope that whoever replaces Myra will work as diligently with us as she has.</p><p><i>Terry Hook</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p> </p><p><b>District dilemma</b></p><p>Early voting is underway and is predicted to be light, possibly even lighter because electors sense that their votes may not count and that they would have to return to vote once more if special elections are necessary. Disenfranchisement of voters?</p><p>Voting by mail has occurred. Will these ballots be counted or will we be required to vote again? It costs money to send out fresh ballots. Electors will have to pay postage once more. Every cent spent adds up to dollars out of voters' pockets.</p><p>Fund the costs associated with these special elections from soft money flowing into Florida to influence elections. Or, let the party in power pay the bill.</p><p>Not even the district shapes proposed by the gerrymandering legislators is new. One Mississippi gerrymandering scheme described the affected district as having the shape of a squirrel's tail; another reportedly used the term "serpentine." Even division of a district by a body of water has been tried.</p><p>Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stevens has recommended the following Constitutional amendment:</p><p>"Districts represented by members of Congress, or by members of any state legislative body, shall be compact and composed of contiguous territory. The state shall have the burden of justifying any departures from this requirement by reference to neutral criteria such as natural, political, or historic boundaries or demographic changes. The interest in enhancing or preserving the political power of the party in control of the state government is not such a neutral criterion." ("Six Amendments: How and Why We Should Change The Constitution")</p><p>Will this proposed amendment work?</p><p><i>Sue Lyon</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p> </p><p><b>Manufactured homes</b></p><p>In response to the letter "Bad development" (Aug. 17), the writer comes across as someone who does not approve of manufactured homes. These homes are beautiful. The writer needs to understand and do some research. May I suggest buying and reading classifieds in The Villages Daily Sun. The Aug. 7 issue lists manufactured homes. A two-bedroom, two-bath home for $110,000; another home lists a two-bedroom, two-bath with golf front for $148,900; another a two-bedroom, two-bath for $114,500. Overpriced? The Villages doesn't think so. You do not buy a home there without fees.</p><p>The amenities etc., do not come with the home.</p><p>Please consider the fact that not all retirees have spendable cash. Suggesting a new development be called a glorified trailer park is so unfair.</p><p>As for congestion, driving east on State Road 200 with all the new restaurants and stores is a nightmare.</p><p>Cars sitting in the middle lane trying to make a left turn (without a light) is an accident about to happen.</p><p>We do not live in a manufactured home. We respect those who do. Everyone should take a tour of new manufactured homes some time. You'll be amazed.</p><p><i>Marie Wissler</p><p>Ocala</i></p><p> </p><p><b>The inversion tactic</b></p><p>Chiquita Bananas Corp. has announced that they intend to merge with an Irish company (Fyffes) in attempt to then move corporate tax responsibility to Ireland rather than the United States of America. It seems that Ireland would offer them a more friendly tax haven and sharply reduce the amount of corporate taxes they pay. They, of course, would pay those taxes to the government of Ireland rather than to the U.S.</p><p>They do, of course, want you to continue to buy Chiquita bananas. They simply don't wish to pay taxes to this country.</p><p>This is a popular corporate financial tactic of late called an "inversion." They apparently feel that loyalty to stockholders trumps any feelings of patriotism or community responsibility.</p><p>I can't do anything as an individual to change their plans to abandon my country, but perhaps if millions of U.S. consumers stop buying Chiquita bananas, they might feel differently about the "inversion"?</p><p>Anyway, as for me, I'm not buying anymore Chiquita bananas.</p><p><i>John E. Adams</p><p>Ocala</i></p>